The Department of Veterans Affairs announced a new telehealth initiative and new health application programming interface (API) this week, furthering the department’s commitment to caring for veterans with the help of technology.
On Thursday, at the department’s Anywhere to Anywhere, Together Summit, the VA announced a partnership with Walmart and T-Mobile to expand access to telehealth services. T-Mobile customers will be able to use the VA Video Connect app without using their mobile data, and Walmart is offering space and technical support to offer telehealth services in stores to support underserved veterans.
“These types of events will help accelerate our shared journey to fully integrated, seamless access to healthcare no matter where a Veteran resides,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “Indeed, from anywhere to anywhere.”
Earlier this week on Tuesday, the VA unveiled its new Health API at the White House Executive Forum on Healthcare Data Interoperability. The API will allow developers to create apps that enable veterans to access their health data from the VA.
“VA’s Health APIs allow a user/application, using the Argonaut Alpha API, to make queries that will return health records stored in a synthetic Veteran health database in FHIR format, without interacting with or understanding the inner workings of VA systems,” the department stated on its website.
“Healthcare data interoperability plays a key role in all four of VA’s top priorities, from implementing the MISSION Act and modernizing our electronic health record, to transforming our business systems and delivering better customer service. VA is proud to serve as a leader and example in this field,” said Secretary Wilkie.